Gummy stem blight is a major foliar disease of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). In this study, morphological characteristics and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were analyzed to identify the causal organism of this disease. Morphological examination of the Jeonbuk isolate revealed that the percentage of monoseptal conidia ranged from 0% to 10%, and the average length x width of the conidia was 70 (+/- 0.96) x 32.0 (+/- 0.15) microm on potato dextrose agar. The BLAST analysis showed nucleotide gaps of 1/494, 2/492, and 1/478 with identities of 485/492 (98%), 492/494 (99%), 491/494 (99%), and 476/478 (99%). The similarity in sequence identity between the rDNA ITS region of the Jeonbuk isolate and other Didymella bryoniae from BLAST searches of GenBank was 100% and was 95.0% within the group. Nucleotide sequences of the rDNA ITS region from pure culture ranged from 98.2% to 99.8%. Phylogenetic analysis with related species of D. bryoniae revealed that D. bryoniae is a monophyletic group distinguishable from other Didymella spp., including Ascochyta pinodes, Mycosphaerella pinodes, M. zeae-maydis, D. pinodes, D. applanata, D. exigua, D. rabiei, D. lentis, D. fabae, and D. vitalbina. Phylogenetic analysis, based on rDNA ITS sequence, clearly distinguished D. bryoniae and Didymella spp. from the 10 other species studied. This study identified the Jeonbuk isolate to be D. bryoniae.
Agar ; Base Sequence ; Bryonia ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Glucose ; Solanum tuberosum ; Spores, Fungal

Agrocybe aegerita is an important mushroom cultivated in Korea, with good feel and a peculiar fragrance. A. aegerita can be cultivated throughout the year using culture bottles but is more susceptible to contamination than other mushrooms. Twenty-two pathogens were isolated from the fruiting bodies and compost of A. aegerita, and seven isolates were isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus to compare with the A. aegerita isolates, collected from Gimje, Iksan, Gunsan of Chonbuk, and Chilgok of Gyeongbuk Province in 2009. These isolates were identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Of the 29 isolates, 26 were identified as Trichoderma spp. and the remaining three were Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp., and Penicillium spp. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 26 isolates of Trichoderma were divided into four taxa, namely T. harzianum, T. pleuroticola, T. longibrachiatum, and T. atroviride. Among the Trichoderma spp., 16 isolates (55.2%) were identified as T. harzianum, six as T. pleuroticola (20.7%), two as T. longibrachiatum, and the remaining two were T. atroviride.
Agaricales ; Agrocybe ; Aspergillus ; Fruit ; Korea ; Mucor ; Penicillium ; Pleurotus ; Soil ; Trichoderma

Familial hypophosphatemic ricket (Vitamin D-resistant ricket), first described by Albright in 1937, has been known to be transmitted as an X-linked dominant trait in most families. Children with this disease would show growth retardation with characteristic clinical features such as congenital alopecia, genu varum or genu valgum, coxa vara and waddling gait. Although the physical features associated with this disease have been documented frequently, the potential involvement of auditory pathway due to abnormal bone formation in skull has not been explored frequently. We report a twenty six-month-old female child with familial hypophosphatemic ricket who presented abnormal findings of brainstem auditory evoked potential study. The impaired hearing function should be alerted as one of possible accompanying disabilities of the disease.
Alopecia ; Auditory Pathways ; Child* ; Coxa Vara ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Gait ; Genu Valgum ; Genu Varum ; Hearing ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Rickets, Hypophosphatemic* ; Skull

The pendulum test, recognized as a reliable measure of spasticity, has been replaced in this study by a video-based two dimensional motion analysis system. Using twenty five patients with spasticity(21 males, 4 females; mean age 46.6 year-old) in their lower legs due to lesions affecting the central nervous system and twenty two persons without any evidence of hypertonia(all males; mean age 23.4 year-old), five parameters such as relaxation index(RI), amplitude ratio(AR), torque at maximal acceleration velocity, number of swing and swing time were obtained for the purpose of documenting the reliability of the video-based two dimensional motion analysis system for the evaluation of spasticity. The values of RI(P<0.05), AR(P<0.01), and swing time(P<0.05) in patients with spasticity were significantly lower than control, whereas the value of torque in patients was significantly higher than control(P<0.01). Spearman's correlation coefficients of the RI(r=+/-0.70894, P<0.001), AR(r=+/-0.71832, P<0.001), number of swing(r=+/-0.59037, P<0.05) and swing time(r=+/-0.59648, P<0.01) showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the modified Ashworth scale, whereas that of torque(r=0.59037, P<0.01) showed a significant positive correlation. In conclusion, a pendulum test using a video-based two dimensional motion analysis system is a simple, and a reliable method for the quantitative evaluation of spasticity.
Acceleration ; Central Nervous System ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity ; Relaxation ; Torque

PURPOSE: Patients with serious burns are prone to chondritis due to lack of soft tissue in the auricle, which can cause severe defects in the auricular morphology. In addition, skin damage occurs frequently in the vicinity of post-burn wounds, presenting difficulties in reconstruction surgery. An auricular reconstruction has functional and cosmetic significance. The aim of this study is to develop appropriate reconstruction methods for auricular defects. METHODS: Thirty seven patients, who were treated for auricular defects from 2005 to 2009, were enrolled in this study. A local flap, multiple regional flaps and cartilage framework with or without a temporal fascial flap were applied in reconstruction surgery according to the location of the auricular defect. RESULTS: The age of the subjects ranged from 11 to 56. Some subjects had defects that cover more than half of the helical rim with most exhibiting post-burn scars in the vicinity, for whom a multiple regional flap was used. A single use of a tubed flap was sufficient for subjects with defects that covered less than half of the helical rim. A regional flap was also used for reconstruction in subjects with defects covering both the helical rim and antehelix. CONCLUSION: Achieving satisfactory results from the skin flaps and skin grafts for post-burn auricular defects in both functional and cosmetic aspects is a difficult task. Therefore, selecting an appropriate surgical method through proper diagnosis of the auricular defect and the state of the available skin in the vicinity is essential.
Burns ; Cartilage ; Cicatrix ; Cosmetics ; Humans ; Skin ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Heterotopic calcification is a pathological event in which deposits of calcium salts build up, usually in the joint area or soft tissues. It can occur under many conditions and in some rare cases may develop in burn scars. In particular, ulcerations in burn scars accompanied by heterotopic calcification are difficult to treat through conservative treatment. This study reports methods for accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment of ulceration in burn scars accompanied by heterotopic calcification. METHODS: Fourteen patients who visited our hospital from March 2008 to January 2010 were subjected to this study. Their sex, age, modes of burn, degree, TBSA(%), ulcerated area, the time of occurrence of the ulcerations in the burn scars were investigated. In addition, radiological examination and biopsy was performed to diagnose heterotopic calcification. RESULTS: Among the 14 cases, 6 were male and 8 were female. The average age of the patients was 48.2(27-69 yrs). As for the mode of burn, 11 were flame burns and 3 were scalding burns. The average time of occurrence of the ulcerations in the burn scars was 4.5 months. The ulcerated areas were situated in the legs in 12 cases, arms in 1 case, and torso in 1 case. The diagnosis was confirmed through X-ray and biopsy, and skin graft was performed after wide excision. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of the ulceration in burn scars accompanied by heterotopic calcification is possible through radiological and pathologic studies. Surgical treatment is the most reliable method of treatment, and we chose to perform skin graft after wide excision. Also, we learned that the complete removal of the calcified tissue and the inflammatory fibrotic tissues is crucial in preventing recurrence. Also, in contrast to Marjolin's ulcer, heterotopic calcification had a small size, little or no granulation tissue, and lacked fungating type ulceration. Therefore, favorable prognosis could be achieved through adequate treatment.
Arm ; Biopsy ; Burns ; Calcium ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Joints ; Leg ; Male ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Salts ; Skin ; Torso ; Transplants ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Since Rheinwald and Green laid the foundation of epidermal cell culture technology in 1975, many clinicians and scientists have attempted to prove the effectiveness of cultured epidermal autologous(CEA) or homogenetic(CEH) grafts in the wound healing process. In contrast to CEA which cultured from a patient's skin on demand, Cultured Epidermal Homograft (CEH) can be readily available to use on cleaned wounds. In this study, we conducted a controlled clinical trial in order to confirm the effectiveness of CEH in treating partial-thickness 2nd degree burn wounds. METHODS: From July 2003 to January 2004 at Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, we performed a clinical trial in which 35 patients who suffered from 2nd degree burns were enrolled. Wounds were randomly divided into two parts, control and test sites. Test sites were treated with allogeneic keratinocyte sheets (Kaloderm(R), Tegoscience Inc.), a CEH commercialized in Korea. RESULTS: All wounds healed completely without any major complication. The complete healing took 8.3+/- 2.8(mean+/-S.D.) days in the test sites as opposed to 11.7+/-3.3 days in the control sites. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we concluded that CEH accelerates re-epithelialization of partial thickness burn wounds and CEH can be an safe alternative to skin grafts for 2nd degree burns.
Allografts* ; Burns* ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Heart ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Korea ; Re-Epithelialization ; Skin ; Transplants ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

PURPOSE: Anatomically, the foot is provided with insufficient blood supply and is relatively vulnerable to venous congestion compared to other parts of the body. Soft tissue defects are more difficult to manage and palliative treatments can cause hyperkeratosis or ulcer formation, which subsequently requires repeated surgeries. For weight bearing area such as the heel, not only is it important to provide wound coverage but also to restore the protective senses. In these cases, application of flaps for hind foot reconstruction is widely recognized as an effective treatment. In this study, we report the cases of soft tissue reconstruction for which various types of flaps were used to produce good results in both functional and cosmetic aspects. METHODS: Data from 37 cases of hind foot operation utilizing flaps performed between from June 2000 to June 2008 were analyzed. RESULTS: Burn related factors were the most common cause of defects, accounting for 19 cases. In addition, chronic ulceration was responsible for 8 cases and so forth. Types of flaps used for the operations, listed in descending order are radial forearm free flap(18), medial plantar island flap(6), rotation flap(5), sural island flap(3), anterolateral thigh free flap(2), lattisimus dorsi muscular flap(2), and contra lateral medial plantar free flap(1). 37 cases were successful, but 8 cases required skin graft due to partial necrosis in small areas. CONCLUSION: Hind foot reconstruction surgeries that utilize flaps are advantageous in protecting the internal structure, restoring functions, and achieving proper contour aesthetically. Generally, medial plantar skin is preferred because of the anatomical characteristics of the foot (e.g. fibrous septa, soft tissue for cushion). However alternative methods must be applied for defects larger than medial plantar skin and cases in which injuries exist in the flap donor/recipient site(scars in the vicinity of the wound, combined vascular injury). We used various types of flaps including radial forearm neurosensory free flap in order to reconstruct hind foot defects, and report good results in both functional and cosmetic aspects.
Accounting ; Burns ; Cosmetics ; Foot ; Forearm ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Heel ; Hyperemia ; Necrosis ; Organic Chemicals ; Palliative Care ; Skin ; Thigh ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Weight-Bearing

PURPOSE: The wound of a patient who has chronic venous insufficiency is easy to recur. Also they develop a complication even after the conservative therapy or skin graft. We have to diagnose the venous stasis ulcer correctly and remove the cause to improve the effectiveness of treatment. We operated endoscopic perforating vein ligation and splitt thickness skin graft on a patient with venous stasis ulceration on right leg. METHODS: A 26 year old male patient who had a scalding burn on his right leg in July 2005 checked into our hospital in March 2008. Even though he got three operations-the split thickness skin graft-at different clinics, the wound did not heal. The size of the wound was 12 by 8 cm2 and granulation with edema and fibrosis had been formed. We kept observation on many collateral vessels and perforating vein through venogram and doppler sonography and firmly get to know that the wound came with chronic venous insufficiency. After a debridement and an application of VAC(r) for two weeks, the condition of granulation got better. So we proceeded with the operation using subfascial endoscopic perforating surgery and split thickness skin graft. RESULTS: Through the venogram after the operation, we found out that the collateral vessels had been reduced compared to the previous condition and the widened perforating vein disappeared. During a follow up of 6 months, the patient did not develop recurrent stasis ulcer and postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Subfascial endoscopic perforator ligation is a relatively simple technique with a low complication rate and recurrence rate. Split thickness skin graft with subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery can be a valuable method for treating severe venous stasis ulcers.
Burns ; Debridement ; Edema ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Ligation ; Male ; Porphyrins ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Transplants ; Varicose Ulcer ; Veins ; Venous Insufficiency

PURPOSE: A wart is caused by epidermal infection with the human papilloma virus. Although wart naturally disappears in some cases, it require treatment because of pain, aesthetic problem, and the possibility of malignant change. Conventional non-surgical treatment cannot be a fundamental solution for the pain and has such disadvantages as frequent recurrence and difficulties in achieving a satisfactory outcome. A surgical procedure was performed on patients with wart and the procedure had a good outcome. METHODS: We investigated the gender, age, lesion site, mean treatment duration, and presence or absence of recurrence in 21 patients with a wart within the period of January 2007 to July 2011. For local lesions, primary closure, including subcuticular suture after the excision, was performed. If the defect size was too big to do primary closure, we performed rotation flap. For wide multiple lesions, a split thickness skin graft was performed. RESULTS: Among the 21 patients, 12 patients were male and 9 patients were female, and their mean age was 42 years(SD=17.38, range: 11~75 years). The lesion site was the foot in 10 patients, the hand in 8 patients, the face in 2 patients, and the scalp in 1 patient. The mean treatment duration was 13.5 days(SD=4.36, range: 6~15 days) for the primary closure or rotation flap, and 18.5 days(SD=2.12, range: 17~20 days) for the skin graft. 20 patients were cured without recurrence. No recurrence was observed in the patients who underwent primary closure or rotation flap. One of the two patients who underwent a skin graft of their wart that had covered their entire palm had local recurrence in part of her finger tips. CONCLUSION: We performed surgical procedure on recalcitrant wart. As a results, we can treat it with short treatment duration, low recurrence rate and less scarring and get high patient satisfaction.
Cicatrix ; Female ; Fingers ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Papilloma ; Patient Satisfaction ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Skin ; Sutures ; Transplants ; Viruses ; Warts